Roupen Shakarian,

In his sixth season as music director of the Skagit Symphony, is an active composer and conductor. He has appeared as guest conductor with the Seattle Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Youth Symphony, California Youth Symphony and the Northwest Chamber Orchestra. He is also the music director of Philharmonia Northwest in Seattle and he has conducted the Skagit Opera orchestra in performances of Mozart's The Magic Flute, Rossini's The Barber of Seville, and Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance at McIntyre Hall.

A published composer and recipient of numerous commissions, his works include: Whimsy and Chamber Symphony for Philharmonia Northwest; Five Bagatelles for woodwind quintet; Inner Places for organ and brass quintet; Pastime for a small ensemble; Flute Concerto; and The Turnip, Clock, and the Kid, commissioned and recorded by The Rainier Chamber Winds.

Recent works include; "... is but a dream" for solo oboe, written for Rebecca Henderson and recorded by Ms. Henderson on Boston Records label; Other Voices for chorus and small ensemble, commissioned by the Midsummer Musical Retreat Board; two choral pieces: Almighty and Everlasting God, commissioned by Opus 7, and If Ye love Me, Keep My Commandments, published by Oxford University Press. Bone Island Suite, a song cycle for soprano and orchestra, received its premier in April 2006 with Philharmonia Northwest. In 2007, his Violin Concerto was premiered in addition to the performance of his Flute Concerto.

In July 2008, Roupen and his wife Shirley became full-time residents of Skagit Valley.

Bonnie Wilkens, concertmaster & principal violin I

Ms. Wilkens recently joined the orchestra players when she relocated to Skagit Valley from Lafayette, Indiana with her husband and fellow musician, Randall. 

Throughout Ms. Wilkens’ life, the language of music has lured her above all other pursuits.  “I really feel music has a way of reaching into the heart.  Music has always been a part of my life’s journey.  It has been the number one thing that connects me to others.”  Having studied piano from age five and violin from age nine, Bonnie recalls musical abilities coming very easily and naturally to her.  “I never had to strain to achieve in music.  My mother gave support in my musical life (both public school and private lessons) but never insisted I practice. She felt my own desire was the best motivation for practice.  Needless to say, I became an excellent sight reader!  I remember many tense moments during symphony rehearsals as a youngster knowing I had not really prepared the music as one should.  I’ve since learned the value of being prepared for a rehearsal. For one thing, it’s much less stressful!” 

Prior to performing with the Skagit Symphony, Ms. Wilkens had paid positions with the Lafayette Symphony and the Bach Chorale Chamber Orchestra. She has also performed with the Estes Park Community Orchestra, the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra and was the concertmaster for the Kansas City Youth Symphony. She has won a variety of awards and honors including a Presidential Music Scholarship from Ithaca College, the Kansas City Youth Symphony Concerto Competition (1988) and the Topeka Symphony Youth Competition (1988). 

When not rehearsing or performing, Ms. Wilkens enjoys spending time with her children Joanna and Malik.

As for her thoughts about the Skagit Symphony and her new role as concertmaster, Ms. Wilkens says, “I have been in many musical ensembles and I can truly say none match the warmth and enthusiasm that this particular group shares.  It is rare to find such amiable friends and I know I am blessed and so thankful to be a part of a great thing in the Skagit Valley!”

Vicki Archer, principal violin II

Born in the Skagit Valley, Ms. Archer had the rare opportunity to play in the orchestra since it was a small string group under the auspices of "Skagit Valley Junior College" as it was known in those days. She was in 8th grade at the time. Mr. Easton, the community orchestra director, fostered in her a lifelong love of music. Ms. Archer attended Skagit Valley College and completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Oregon, with an emphasis on Music History. She returned to Western Washington University and added a Bachelor of Education in Music to her resume. Subsequently, she went back to the University of Oregon and completed a Master of Music degree with emphasis in conducting.

Ms. Archer conducted the Skagit Symphony for 10 years during its "infant years" and helped in the formation of the community band and chorale.  She taught for many years at her academy of music, Northwest Academy of Musical Arts, which was the home of a youth choir, a dance studio, a youth orchestra, a musical preschool, and a summer music camp.  Approximately 10 years ago, she changed gears and now owns a music store in Bellingham.  Ms. Archer has three wonderful daughters and eight beautiful grandchildren.

Karis Mills, principal viola

Amy Buckingham, principal cello

Amy Buckingham began playing cello just before she turned twelve, when her grandparents, Jim and Carol Howe, drove from Maryland to visit. They brought with them a cello and a violin that had been in the family (and then in their attic) for many years. Amy began cello lessons with Chris Marcum and then studied with Pall Grondal for six years. She is currently blessed to be under the tutelage of Barton Frank, who studied under Gregor Piatigorsky.

Amy was home-schooled along with seven of her eight siblings. She enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling in their big ?greyhound? bus, singing and playing at rest homes and other events. She also enjoys studying the scriptures with her family.

Amy played with the Whatcom Symphony for one year, joining the Skagit Symphony in 2003, and since has been joined by three other siblings. She has received her share of cello related rewards, such as winning the concerto competition with the Mount Baker Youth Symphony in 2002, soloing with the Fidalgo Youth Symphony in 2003, and playing principal cellist at the Marrowstone Music Festival during the summer of 2001.

As her sister, I know that is not the kind of reward Amy plays to receive. She plays to bring glory to her Heavenly Father and to sing praise to her God ? the one who made her hands able to play skillfully on her chosen stringed instrument. The one and only God ?who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.? Amy?s greatest desire is to serve her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in all that she does.

Toni Rush, principal string bass

Toni Rush has had the privilege of playing in two orchestras under the baton of Roupen Shakarian, both the Skagit Symphony and Philharmonia Northwest. In addition, she has played with the Yakima, Bellevue, Everett, and Samammish Symphonies and various other chamber groups. She received her music degree from Central Washington University and continued her studies at the University of Washington. Her passion for t he double bass started in an elementary school orchestra program and was fueled by a mom who believed that kids need music in their lives. Toni’s favorite era is the Baroque and she will play basso continuo any chance she gets.

Stephanie Bethea, principal flute

Stephanie Bethea has performed and taught flute with such backdrops as Kenya, Lebanon, Jordan, Indonesia, British Columbia, and Washington. Her teachers have included renowned flutists Josiah Thomas and John Wummer. She graduated from Smith College with honors in music composition and flute. In 1978 she received her Masters in Church Music from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, majoring in flute and conducting. In 2008 she earned a doctorate in flute performance at the University of Washington. Her dissertation for the DMA was "The Flute Music of Carl Reinecke".

Since 2000 Stephanie has played principal flute in the Skagit Symphony. Other principal flute positions have included the Skagit Valley Chorale, North Cascades Concert Band, and the Richmond Symphony in British Columbia. She coached the flute section of the Fidalgo Youth Symphony and has acted as flute clinician for the Sedro Woolley High School District. She has been an adjudicator for Solo and Ensemble Festival at the regional level. In addition to solo performances Stephanie has taught music theory and ear training at Skagit Valley College since 2001. Currently she directs worship at Congregation Bet haShem in Bellingham and maintains a flute and piano studio in her home.

Charles Larsson, principal oboe

Charles began oboe studies with James Caldwell, who was a last year student at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia at the time and a long term substitute with the Philadelphia Orchestra. While in high school, Charles played the Mozart oboe quartet with members of the Trenton Symphony Orchestra in New Jersey. Later, while attending college at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the university orchestra, his teacher, Norman Wells, also played in the Philadelphia Orchestra. When continuing on to medical school at Lund University in his family?s native country of Sweden, Charles played in the university?s orchestra as well. During his medical internship and residency, he reluctantly and temporarily put the oboe aside until reading a Skagit Valley Herald ad in 1991 for an oboe position with the Skagit Symphony. The rest is history. Charles taught oboe while residing in the valley and now commutes to orchestra from his new home in Winthrop in the Methow Valley.

Barry Ulman, principal clarinet

Barry Ulman was born in 1940 in Howell, Michigan. He had piano lessons starting at age 5 and had his first clarinet lessons at age 10. He didn’t really get serious about music until he was about 17, when he fell in love with jazz and took up saxophone along with clarinet.

He studied jazz at the Berklee School of music in Boston. From about that time to the present he has played gigs in many different genres, including dance jobs, jazz, classical, shows, cruise ships, and a circus.

Ulman enrolled at Western Washington University, getting his Bachelor’s Degree in music in 1981, and a Master’s Degree in composition in 1988. He has composed over a dozen works for different chamber ensembles, one piece for orchestra, and has written a number of jazz tunes.

Elizabeth Johnson, principal bassoon

Joined the Skagit Symphony in 2004

I began my career as an amateur musician in the fifth grade, when a school demonstration inspired me to learn the flute and join the school band. I played flute until the 11th grade when the band director called for a volunteer to fill an opening for second bassoon. With a leaky school bassoon and a plastic reed, my love for the bassoon was born. I continued playing bassoon at Brigham Young University where I studied with Glenn Williams, participated in the Wind Symphony, and graduated with a minor in music. Before moving to Washington in 1998, I played with the Pleasant Grove Symphony, conducted by Susan Johnson. Since then, I have spent five years with the Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Alan Shen. During that time, I studied privately with Arthur Grossman, formerly of the University of Washington and the Soni Ventorum Wind Quintent. I joined the Skagit Symphony during Maestro Shakarian’s inaugural year and am honored to play under his direction in splendid McIntyre Hall and never regretting my impulsive decision to enter the world of the beautiful, bubbling, burbling bassoon.

Jim Gaudette, principal french horn

Jim Gaudette, principal horn player of the Skagit Symphony, is a seasoned musician who has an extensive professional experience. He studied with Ralph Pyle of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has played in the Riverside Symphony, San Bernardino Symphony and The Redlands Bowl Symphony. He received his training at the New England Conservatory in Boston and Music Academy in Vienna, where he played in the Vienna Symphony and other concert and opera orchestras. Regionally he has soloed with the Whatcom Symphony and the Skagit Symphony.

Kipp Otterness, principal trumpet

Joined Skagit Symphony in 2004 playing the Trumpet.

My love for music began in kindergarten when I went to music class in school. I had 11 years of piano lessons, beginning when I was in the 2nd grade. My favorite composer is Mahler. I studied trumpet under Ron Fox, Bob Baca, John Harbaugh and William Adam.

My wife, (a violinist) Danae’, and I love hiking in the beautiful northwest. We have a new baby boy names Sens. I teach elementary and middle school band and I love it.

Charles Stevens, principal trombone

Charles played trombone at WSU before transferring to WWU to obtain a Masters in Mathematics and has been a math instructor at SVC since 1990. After letting his trombone collect dust for 16 years he began playing with the SVC Jazz Band, Skagit Community Band, and numerous swing and jazz groups when time allows. Charles has also played in several local play productions and with the Skagit Valley Chorale. This will be his fourth year with the Skagit Symphony.

Theresa Goldston, principal percussion

Theresa is honored to have been a member of the Skagit Symphony Orchestra since 1993, when she was recruited by concertmaster Sarah Carter to play the bass drum.

This fostered the beginning of a lifelong passion for the world of percussion. Soon there were music studies in Seattle with Kathy Ramm, percussionist with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Symphony, studies continued with Dr. Patrick Roulet, percussion professor at Western Washington University in Bellingham and with Rob Tucker professional recording and performing artist, and percussion faculty at WWU.

Theresa completed music studies at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon and as a post baccalaureate received her music degree from WWU. In addition to being a wonderful asset of the Skagit Symphony, she has performed with the Skagit Community Band, North Cascades Concert Band, Skagit Valley Chorale, Skagit Opera, and various orchestras in Seattle including the Orchestra of the Northwest Mahler Festival, and the Seattle premier of Olivier Messiaen?s ?Turangalila Symphony? at Benaroya Hall. Theresa?s dedication has extended beyond the stage to the symphony board where she was an active Board Member for four years including two years as Board President. Still inspired, she recently became an Honorary Board Member.